Padeye or Tie-Down Cleaning System

ABSTRACT

A padeye cleaning system includes a housing having an outlet designed to be positioned in communication with the opening in a padeye cover with a media inlet for introducing a pressurized media flow into the housing and through both the housing and the opening in the padeye cover for releasing a pressurized media flow into the padeye receptacle. A media exhaust port is provided for removing the released media flow from the receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is generally related to media blasting systems andis specifically directed to a pressurized media delivery system forcleaning padeyes and similar open-topped, closed recesses or tie-downs.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Generally, a padeye is a recessed cleat or tie-down on the deck of aship. Padeyes and other components for securing cargo or equipment to aship are generally referred to as tie-downs, which generically includespadeyes. This invention is directed to padeyes and tie-downssubstantially flush mounted on a surface and having a recess or cavity,sometimes referred to as a can, positioned beneath the surface. Theterms padeye and tie-down are used interchangeably throughout thisdisclosure and refer to any unit which is substantially flush mounted ona surface with a recess beneath the surface. Such units are typicallyset flush with the surface of the deck or floor so that they do notcreate an obstruction to the surface when not in use.

There are several types of padeyes currently in use. They are generallyused to tie-down or secure cargo or equipment in place on the deck ofthe ship using lines which are secured at one end to the cargo and atthe other end to the padeye. Several types of padeyes are shown anddisclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,672,909; 5,004,388;5,106,248; 5,301,627 and 5,535,694. All of theses padeyes have one thingin common. Each is housed in a can or receptacle which is recessed inthe deck. Currently, one of the most common padeye has an inverted domeshaped receptacle mounted in the deck with a flat cover having across-opening or clover-leaf opening designed to engage a link of chainfor securing the cargo to the ship deck. The center opening of thepadeye is enlarged to permit the link to be removed for loosening ortightening the chain. Because of the location of the padeye or othertie-down in the deck of a ship, it is in a highly corrosive environment.This requires frequent cleaning of the padeye or tie-down, in particularof the receptacle which is recessed in the deck. The receptacle is proneto collect seawater, oil and other materials which may collect on thedeck.

The prior art cleaning methods included removing the padeye or tie-downfor cleaning, or using a water or fluid blasting system for pressurewashing. The liquids used were somewhat limited because of the need toprotect the deck from corrosive materials. At best these systems areexpensive and time consuming, and marginally effective.

Typically, the water blasting system of the prior art would permit thecleaning of approximately two or three padeyes per hour. A typical U.S.Naval cargo ship may have several hundred padeyes on the top deck,meaning is would take one hundred or more hours just to clean thepadeyes. Since the padeyes have to be cleaned regularly, this has becomean almost full time job. In most fluid cleaning systems, the system wasopen-looped, permitting the fluid to run over the deck during thecleaning process.

Also, since the open top member is generally welded to the receptacle,it is difficult to clean the entire padeye with just a liquid blast. Thepressurized stream needs to flow directly from the nozzle to the surfacebeing cleaned. Once a liquid stream hits a surface it dissipates rapidlyand there is little or no rebound benefit. Basically, even if suchsystems were functional for cleaning that portion of the padeyereceptacle they were of marginal effect when cleaning the underside ofthe cover or the junction between the top and the receptacle around theperimeter.

Inability to provide thorough cleaning of padeyes or other tie-downs ofthis nature results in premature failure, requiring costly replacement.There is a need for a more efficient and more effective system for insitu cleaning of padeyes and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is a closed loop system, wherein the cleaningmaterial may be recycled and reused as the padeye is cleaned. It uses asolid, particulate media cleaning agent which is propelled underpressure air to drive the media into the surface of the padeye forabrasively removing corrosion and dirt. In its preferred form thecleaning system of the subject invention includes a housing with an openbottom which may be placed over the padeye. An input conduit or tube isselectively extendable through the housing and into the padeyereceptacle. The lower end of the tube is coupled to a nozzle assemblyhaving one or more nozzles. The tube extends above the housing and isrotatable to direct each nozzle to various points in the receptacle. Thenozzles may be angled to direct the propelled media to differentlocations in the receptacle.

Where desired, the tube and nozzles may be selectively positioned abovethe padeye for cleaning the surface area surrounding the padeye.

In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a base housinghaving a housing outlet designed to be positioned in communication withthe opening in a padeye. A media inlet tube or conduit extends throughthe housing for introducing a pressurized media flow into the basehousing and/or through the housing and the opening in the padeye andinto the padeye recess. A media outlet nozzle assembly releases adirected pressurized media flow into the area surrounding the padeye orinto the padeye recess, as desired. A media exhaust port is provided forremoving the released media flow from the padeye surface, padeye recessand the base housing. The system may be a closed loop with therecaptured, exhausted released media reintroduced into the media inletconduit, or may be a vacuum sealed open circuit with the recapturedmedia being stored or disposed of, or a combination thereof.

In the preferred form the padeye cleaning system is mounted on a wheeledcarriage or dolly for supporting the base housing, supply conduit andnozzles. This makes the system easy to maneuver with little or nodisassembly required as the system is moved from work station to workstation.

The use of a solid particulate matter provides several advantages overthe prior art. First, it can be applied at a lower pressure than theliquid systems. Pressurized water, for example, must be propelled at apressure of greater than 1400 psi to be effective. The solid particulatemedia can be propelled under a pressure of around 70 psi or more withbetter results.

In addition, the solid particulate media stays intact after impact,providing rebound cleaning as it bounces around in the receptacle. Thisassures better cleaning of hard to reach places, especially around theupper perimeter at the junction between the top of the can or receptacleand the bottom wall of the padeye top member.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a plurality of nozzleconfigurations may be used. A first configuration points slightlydownward to assure cleaning of the base of the receptacle. A secondconfiguration is substantially horizontal for general cleaning. A thirdconfiguration points slightly upward to clean the perimeter of the topof the receptacle and to clean the underside of the padeye cover.

Where desired, a nozzle configuration placing the conduit above thepadeye the nozzle outlet above the padeye cover may be used to clean theexposed, upper surface of the padeye cover, and the surrounding decksurface where desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the housing is wheeled tofacilitate movement of the housing from padeye to padeye along the deckof a ship.

Using this system, each padeye generally takes approximately ten tofifteen minutes to fully clean, permitting cleaning of up to six padeyesin an hour, versus two when using prior art systems. In addition, whenusing either the closed loop system or the captured exhaust system,there is only a minimum of clean-up after each padeye is completed. Thisis in contrast with liquid systems which almost always release thecleaning liquid to the deck. In addition, water blasting requires rustinhibiting additives so only rust inhibitive compatible paint can beused on the surfaces being cleaned. The water has to dry beforere-painting can begin and protective gear is required to worn by theoperator. The system of the present invention eliminates these issues.

The closed loop and/or recovery system of the subject invention is alsodesirable over the open systems of the prior art because it minimizesany environmental hazard. Basically, the padeye cleaning system of thepresent invention provides a safer, cleaner, faster and less expensivesystem for cleaning recessed padeyes on a ship deck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a padeye cleaning system in accordance with thesubject invention, with the nozzle assembly in the lower, recesscleaning position.

FIG. 2 is a partial section rotated 90 degrees from FIG. 1, withcarriage removed for clarity and showing the input tube and base housingassembly.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial section view looking in the same directionas FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial section view looking in the same directionas FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged partial section view looking in the samedirection as FIGS. 4 and showing the blast wand and lifting tubeinterface.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are partial views showing the positions of thenozzle assembly in the center of the padeye (FIG. 6A), the nozzleassembly above the padeye for surface cleaning (FIG. 6B) and the nozzleassembly in the recess of the padeye (FIG. 6C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A basic configuration of the padeye cleaning system of the subjectinvention is shown in FIG. 1, designated by the reference numeral 10. Itis designed to be seated over a typical padeye 12 which is flush mountedin the deck 14 of a ship. The padeye includes a receptacle or can 16 andan open top 18.

In the preferred embodiment the system is mounted on a wheeled dolly 20for portability and maneuverability. As shown in FIG. 1, wheels 22 allowthe operator to quickly move from one tie down to another. The operatorcan use the handle 25 on the skid dolly to pull the containment systemback so that it rest upon the wheels 22 and may be rolled to the desiredlocation. The basic components of the containment system are the base11, supply tube 26, and the nozzle assembly 27.

The control box 24 houses the indicator lights for blast air ON, gritflow ON, and vacuum sensed inside base chamber. The control system forthe padeye cleaning system operates in typical manner as is well-knownin the industry and provides controls for initiating and terminatingflow through the inlet tube 26 via the flexible blast hose 28 and theconnector 30. Typically the control box 24 includes a three positionswitch for system OFF, grit blasting (compressed air and grit ON), orcompressed air only, AIR, (no grit). The compressed air only mode isused to help purge the tie down and base chamber of residual grit andtrash.

Below is the control box on the dolly is the vacuum switch 32 whichdisables the system until sufficient vacuum is sensed inside the basechamber 34, see FIG. 2. This feature is for assurance of containment andpersonnel safety. The vacuum connector port 66 is in communication withthe base cavity 34.

The blast hose 28 terminates at one end at a swivel coupling 36, and atthe other end at the coupling 30 which is used to connect the system toa blast pot (not shown) which properly mixes the grit and compressed airand conveys it to the angled blast nozzles in the nozzle assembly 27.The flexible blast hose permits vertical adjustment of the inlet tube 26and the nozzle assembly 27. The inherent curve 38 of the blast hose atthis location is an accelerated wear point. By providing the shortmodular section of hose 28 the end user will only have to replace asmall length of hose instead of the entire supply hose from the blastpot to the input tube coupler 36.

The wheel 40 is provided for rotating the nozzle inlet tube 26 andnozzle assembly 27 during operation.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section of the system, with the wheeled dollyremoved, for clarity. At top is the blast hose 28 which carries thecompressed air and abrasive grit mixture and introduces it into theinlet tube 26. The blast hose swivel coupling ties into the top of thehose swivel and the bottom connection has pipe thread or otherconnection that is connected to the inlet tube 26 (or blast wand). Belowthe hose swivel is the manual wheel 40 for rotating the tube 26 andnozzle assembly 27.

FIG. 3 (a partial section view looking in the same direction as FIG. 1)and FIG. 4 (a partial section view looking in the same direction as FIG.2) are enlarged for clarity. The inlet tube or blast wand 26 and thenozzle assembly 27 are mounted for vertical and rotational movement inthe base 11. The blast wand is located concentrically inside a lift tube50 and a hollow threaded rod 52. A base plate 54 is rigidly attached tothe bottom end 56 of the hollow threaded rod 52. This plate is fastenedonto the base flange 58 with three quick release fasteners 60 (two shownin FIG. 3 and one shown in FIG. 4). The quick release fasteners arerequired to allow quick removal of the threaded rod flange to access theblast nozzle assembly 27 (FIG. 2) to switch from external blastingnozzles to internal blasting nozzles or vice versa.

Between the threaded rod plate 54 and the base flange 58 is a gasket 62to seal the blasting chamber 34 inside the base 11. Below the baseflange 58 and located on the base 11 is an atmospheric vacuum intakeport 36 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which allows air flow from ambient into theblast chamber and keep air flowing through the vacuum reclaim system.This port is sized such to allow continuous vacuum flow and stillproduce sufficient vacuum inside the base chamber to produce sufficientdownward sealing force upon the base seal 64 (FIGS. 1 and 2) against thedeck 14. Below the atmospheric vacuum intake port 64 is the vacuumswitch port 36 which is hosed to the vacuum switch 32 (FIG. 1). Thisvacuum switch will not allow blasting if sufficient vacuum is not sensedinside the base chamber 34. This helps to ensure that blasting cannot beperformed until the base 11 is sealed against the deck 14 and theoperator cannot inadvertently turn on the blast operation while movingfrom one tie down to another.

A clean out port 68 is provided for purging the system and cleaning outthe blast chamber 34 during blast and purge operations. The clean outport is connected to a vacuum system (not shown) for reclamation,screening and reusing the abrasive.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the inlet tube (blast wand)26 and nozzle assembly 27 are mounted in the lift tube 50 for rotationand vertical adjustment relative to the base 11. As shown, the fixedthreaded rod 52 is mounted on the base plate 58 which is removablysecured to the base 11 by the disconnects 60. In the exemplaryembodiment a threaded receptacle such as, by way of example, the nut 70,is provided in or on the base plate 54. The threaded rod 52 is thensecured in the receptacle 70. This prevents dirt and grit fromaccumulating in these gaps.

A similarly threaded receptacle or nut 72 is secured to the lower end 74of the lift tube 50. Handles 76 are mounted in the lift tube 50 tofacilitate rotation and vertical adjustment of the lift tube relative tothe threaded rod 52 and to the base 11. In the embodiment shown thehandles 76 are hollow pipes or tubes open to the interior of the lifttube. These function as a fresh air intake to continuously purge the gapbetween the internal diameter of the threaded rod 52 and the outerdiameter of the blast wand 26, see opening at 78.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper end 80 is capped with a cap 82which is rigidly secured to the lift tube 50. The cap has a centralaperture 84 for accommodating the blast wand 26. The blast wand has aflange 86 positioned above the cap 82. A resilient washer 88 is placedbetween the flange 86 and the cap 82. This assembly permits the blastwand to rise and fall with the lift tube 50, while at the same timepermitting rotation of the blast wand relative to the lift tube and thebase, permitting both rotation and vertical adjustment of the nozzleassembly 27.

As also best shown in FIG. 5, the turn wheel 40 is secured directly tothe blast wand 26 at hub 90. This permits the nozzle assembly 27 to berotated relative to the blast base 11 for selectively positioning androtating the nozzles during operation. It should be understood that theselection of the rotation wheel is arbitrary and other devices andassemblies for rotation could be readily employed without departing fromthe invention.

The nozzle positions during operation are illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6Band 6C. FIG. 3A shows the blast nozzle 27 at the center of a cloverleafpadeye 18. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C angled orifice nozzles 100 and102 are secured to the lower end of the blast wand 26. Rotating theangled orifice nozzles one or more revolution will blast clean a donutshape area. The nozzles may be angled as a matter of choice depending onthe operation. In FIG. 6B the nozzles are positioned for higher andlower external cleaning. In FIG. 6C the nozzles are positioned in thehigher and lower recess or receptacle cleaning positions.

Where desired, the wheel 25 may include indexing marks 110, 112 on itsperimeter to show the position of the nozzles during rotation. Thispermits non-visual systematic geometric blast coverage by providing anexternal indication of each nozzle position during rotation. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, calibration marks 114 may be provided on the tube to showthe vertical position of the nozzles without visual access to thenozzles.

While certain features and embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in detail herein, it should be understood that the inventionincludes all modifications and enhancements within the scope and spiritof the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A padeye cleaning system adapted for utilizing apressurized particulate media flow as a cleaning agent, the system,comprising: a. a housing having a housing outlet opening designed to bepositioned in communication with the opening in a padeye of the typebeing substantially flush mounted and having a recessed receptacle; b. amedia inlet for introducing a pressurized media flow into the housingand through both the housing and the opening in the padeye; c. a mediaoutlet for releasing the pressurized media flow into the receptacle; andd. a media exhaust port for removing the released media flow from thereceptacle.
 2. The padeye cleaning system of claim 1, further includinga closed loop recirculating system wherein the exhausted media isreintroduced in the inlet pressurized media flow.
 3. The padeye cleaningsystem of claim 1, wherein the media inlet comprises a conduit extendingthrough the housing.
 4. The padeye cleaning system of claim 3, whereinthe conduit is rotatable relative to the housing.
 5. The padeye cleaningsystem of claim 3, wherein the conduit is axially movable relative tothe housing.
 6. The padeye cleaning system of claim 3, wherein theconduit is rotatable and axially movable relative to the housing.
 7. Thepadeye cleaning system of claim 1, the media outlet further including anozzle for directing the media flow into the receptacle.
 8. The padeyecleaning system of claim 7, wherein the nozzle directs the media flowupward in the receptacle.
 9. The padeye cleaning system of claim 7,wherein the nozzle is positioned above the padeye and the nozzle directsthe media down toward the upper surface of the padeye.
 10. The padeyecleaning system of claim 9, wherein the nozzle is adapted for alsodirecting media to an area surrounding the padeye.
 11. The padeyecleaning system of claim 7, wherein the nozzle directs the media flowhorizontally in the receptacle.
 12. The padeye cleaning system of claim7, wherein the nozzle directs the media flow downward in the receptacle.13. The padeye system of claim 1, further including a seal between thehousing outlet and the surface flush with the padeye top.
 14. The padeyesystem of claim 13, wherein the seal is a metal-to-metal seal.
 15. Thepadeye system of claim 13, wherein the seal is a resilient seal.
 16. Thepadeye cleaning system of claim 1, further including a wheeled carriagefor supporting the housing.
 17. The padeye cleaning system of claim 16,further including an adjustment means for adjusting the distance betweenthe housing and the padeye.
 18. A padeye cleaning system, comprising: a.a housing having a housing outlet opening designed to be positioned incommunication with the opening in a padeye having a padeye cover and areceptacle; b. a media inlet for introducing a pressurized media flowinto the housing and through both the housing and the opening in thepadeye; c. a media outlet for releasing the pressurized media flow intothe receptacle; d. a media exhaust port for removing the released mediaflow from the receptacle; and e. a wheeled carriage for supporting thehousing.
 19. The padeye cleaning system of claim 18, further including aclosed loop recirculating system wherein the exhausted media isreintroduced in the inlet pressurized media flow.
 20. The padeyecleaning system of claim 18, wherein the media inlet comprises a conduitextending through the housing.
 21. The padeye cleaning system of claim20, wherein the conduit is rotatable relative to the housing.
 22. Thepadeye cleaning system of claim 20, wherein the conduit is axiallymovable relative to the housing.
 23. The padeye cleaning system of claim22, wherein axial movement of the conduit is functional to change thevertical position of the media outlet.
 24. The padeye cleaning system ofclaim 18, the media outlet further including a nozzle for directing themedia flow into the receptacle.
 25. The padeye system of claim 18,further including a seal between the housing outlet and the padeyecover.
 26. A padeye cleaning system, comprising: a. a housing having ahousing outlet opening designed to be positioned in communication withthe opening in a padeye having a padeye cover and a receptacle; b. amedia inlet conduit extending through the housing for introducing apressurized media flow into the housing and through both the housing andthe opening in the padeye; c. a media outlet nozzle for releasing adirected pressurized media flow into the receptacle; d. a media exhaustconduit port for removing the released media flow from the receptacle;and e. a closed loop whereby the exhausted released media isreintroduced into the media inlet conduit.
 27. The padeye cleaningsystem of claim 26, further including a wheeled carriage for supportingthe housing.
 28. The padeye system of claim 28, further including a sealbetween the housing outlet and the padeye cover.